Testing the Fujifilm X-T2 on Tokyo’s Cherry Blossoms

After years with my trusty Pentax K-3, it suddenly died. I needed a camera and I decided on the Fujifilm X-T2. I paired it with the highly-praised XF 16-55mm f/2.8 lens. This new kit felt like a different beast altogether. To get a feel for its dials and controls, I headed out for what I thought would be a quick walk around my neighborhood.

That walk led me, as it often does, toward the Zenpukuji River. It was late in the season, but to my surprise, the cherry blossoms lining the park were still hanging on. They were past their peak, to be sure, but their fading beauty provided the perfect subject for my new gear. What started a quick walk led to an extended photo season.

The Fujifilm X-T2 EVF changed my life

As I started shooting, one thing immediately changed my world: the Electronic Viewfinder (EVF). I’d always dismissed EVFs as a gimmick, but I was so wrong. Framing a shot of blossoms hanging over the water, I could see a perfect preview of the final image before I pressed the shutter.

My old Pentax’s optical viewfinder was great, but I was always guessing at the final exposure until I got home to my computer. The X-T2’s EVF made creating the exact image I wanted intuitive. Yes, there was a little screen lag, but engaging the booster grip’s “boost mode” fixed that instantly.

A new standard in sharpness

And the lens? The XF 16-55mm is a beast. It’s big, it’s heavy, and it has no image stabilization, seemingly defying the “small and light” promise of mirrorless. But when I got home and saw the results, I didn’t care.

The sharpness was simply on another level. I could see the fine texture on every single petal, the subtle color shifts from pink to white, and the crisp separation between the flowers and the soft, blurred background. It was a combination of camera and lens that felt like a match made in heaven. The images weren’t just good; they were stunning.

Is the Fujifilm X-T2 worth it?

That day at Zenpukuji River Park sold me completely on the Fujifilm X-T2. The lens was worth every penny (though I wisely omitted the exact cost when mentioning it to my wife). It made me an EVF believer.

What about you? For Fuji users, what’s your take on the legendary 16-55mm lens? And for other photographers, was there a piece of gear that completely changed the way you shoot? Let me know in the comments!

Where is Zenpukuji River Park?

It is between Hamadayama (Keio-Inokashira line) and Minami-Asagaya (Metro Marunouchi line) stations. There are three ways to get there:

• walk from the stations. It is a little far, but possible.
• Sugimaru Bus, which you can catch at those stations.
• Kanto Bus, from either Kichijoji or Nakano stations.

Here is the park on Google Maps:

To learn more about this place, look at the official (Japanese) Zenpukuji River Green Space website.